Part 4, Chapter 5 Summary

Edward Ashburnham commits suicide, Nancy Rufford suffers a fate worse than death, Leonora Ashburnham marries Rodney Bayham, and John Dowell maintains a residence at Branshaw Manor House. Leonora shares with John a letter from Colonel Rufford in Ceylon. Nancy heard about Edward's suicide and had gone insane. The only words Nancy will speak are the Latin words for, "I believe in an omnipotent deity." Colonel Rufford asks Leonora to send someone from Branshaw to comfort her. Leonora refuses to go because she does not want to see Nancy again. John goes and brings her back to England in a catatonic state. He assumes the role of her caretaker, buys Branshaw Manor from Leonora, and lives with Nancy there. Leonora becomes pregnant.

John Dowell the narrator imagines scenes that occurred at Branshaw House before he arrives. He describes Leonora and Nancy uniting...